Karen F.E

[jimsmith 224]

Here, nothing to it..

 

 

That's the one. I have a front on view but am unable to view gallery.

 

From a personal perspective,I think her natural coloured hair made her look a lot more attractive but maybe I'm just old fashioned. I find the bleached look harsh and unreal. My own 22 year old daughter wears it and I've said same to her but the blonde look is big for many females.  A lot of the older guys on Trackside are going overboard with the hair dye also. If they only knew that many woman find the salt and pepper look refined and even sexy in an older guy.

[jimsmith 224]

How about looking back only to the 80 s and see how far the racing industry has come.Limited TV and radio coverage .Had to line up to place your bet on course and get back in line straight after the race else you miss out on the next.Visit the TAB no coverage you d just wait for the results about 15 mins after the event to be pinned on the results board.We ve never had it better and all some of you can pick at is someone's dress?Bloody laughable!

 

For me one of the biggest and best advancements with betting was not just racing on our screens but being able to bet right up until they jump. If that situation had been present 20-30 years ago many Kiwi kids would have been spared the torture of waiting in the car outside the TAB for three to five hours on a Saturday while our father put on all his bets "investments" for the day.I'm confident many of the over 40's who have been punting for a while can relate. My torture was usually compounded by an equally long wait in the car outside the pub later in the day 

[porky 900]

Yeah Nah, we have come a long way, media wise ...from Glyn Tucker and Phil Leishman to George Cuz "Guitar tip" Simon through to the present lot.,( I have no complaints)...Karen included.

 

Wonderful commentators from Peter Kelly,Keith Haub,tony Lee,George Simon...Again Spoilt...

 

No complaints from me...wonderful game, this racing lurk.

[jimsmith 224]

We've come along way Porky but it's evolving and so it must.

 

The Radio Racing Show on a Saturday morning with Paddy O'Donnell,Keith Haub and Mary Mountier was compulsive listening. Paddy and Keith had a great sense of humour and we all looked forward to their joke of the week that was invariably not politically correct. These guys had great personalities and made the game so much more enjoyable. I was sincerely upset when Paddy passed away in August 2009 on the Kapati Coast.

 

How ironic that there was also no room for Keith Haub in NZ Racing. What a sinful waste of a great man with so much colour and passion for the game. To me Keith is a national treasure regardless of the fact he enjoyed a tipple. Jack who recently passed away did also and that didn't stop him being pure gold.

 

In terms of technology NZ Racing has done the equivalent of land on the moon in recent decades but in other areas we have taken a giant leap for mankind backwards. Most of our stakemoney is farcical and without wanting to be harsh most of the present crop of presenters etc are light years away from what we've had in the past. Steve Davies and George Simon would be the only two deserving of being in the same room as Paddy and Keith. Just my opinion as a long time racing man.

[biff 2,158]

That's the one. I have a front on view but am unable to view gallery.

 

From a personal perspective,I think her natural coloured hair made her look a lot more attractive but maybe I'm just old fashioned. I find the bleached look harsh and unreal. My own 22 year old daughter wears it and I've said same to her but the blonde look is big for many females.  A lot of the older guys on Trackside are going overboard with the hair dye also. If they only knew that many woman find the salt and pepper look refined and even sexy in an older guy.

Jim, what about the kojak look? I'm bald as a badger and the chicks find me super sexy, I know this cos when I walk by I hear 'geezus look at that'.....it's a Bo Derek moment in reverse, the long t shirt hides the gut a tad, I reckon they like the fashion statement too, boardies and thongs from k mart, who needs Billabong and hang ten.....lifes great.

[Huey 2,037]

How about looking back only to the 80 s and see how far the racing industry has come.Limited TV and radio coverage .Had to line up to place your bet on course and get back in line straight after the race else you miss out on the next.Visit the TAB no coverage you d just wait for the results about 15 mins after the event to be pinned on the results board.We ve never had it better and all some of you can pick at is someone's dress?Bloody laughable!

But that's progress made in most areas of society  and not anything specifically radical in the racing industry, especially in this country. 

[rdytdy 5,345]

I have now had a quick look of Saturday's First Call and note the splash of colour but perhaps you may have overlooked the significance of it? A day of celebration.

It was the first day of the new season, the first day of the first canival and the all horse's birthdays. I note that the desk was array with streamers and decorations also.

I note Jim that you stated that you "no longer watch or listen to domestic race previews here" yet you felt compelled to have it screening at work....and you question things being appropriate.

One would have question your standard of appropriateness, that in view of having a meeting with eleven staff in a working business environment you had Trackside playing and then you feeling the need to take a photo of the screen.

Pot....kettle...black.

And you are showing your age old boy....in many ways. If Glyn Tucker was still alive you would be wheeling him out also. Stephen Stuart for God's sake. Give me breath!!

Had you not thought that some younger presenters may garner some interest from younger viewers and that it is not refelective of an old people's sport. Some are good others not but that same aspect also applies to the older presenters. Just remember you can't teach experience.

However you do have some valid points in other areas such as stakes etc.

[Brown Fox 867]

Maybe she thinks she is the Gai Waterhouse of NZ racing.

Mind you, I saw Gai on tv recently, she looked about 90?

Must be hard for woman to try and keep up with the younger fillies looks, while us guys sit back and perv at the young fillies while balancing a beer, laptop, bag of chips and a remote on our guts watching the racing! Nice indeed!

Leave me out of this Kakama.

[jimsmith 224]

I have now had a quick look of Saturday's First Call and note the splash of colour but perhaps you may have overlooked the significance of it? A day of celebration.

It was the first day of the new season, the first day of the first canival and the all horse's birthdays. I note that the desk was array with streamers and decorations also.

I note Jim that you stated that you "no longer watch or listen to domestic race previews here" yet you felt compelled to have it screening at work....and you question things being appropriate.

One would have question your standard of appropriateness, that in view of having a meeting with eleven staff in a working business environment you had Trackside playing and then you feeling the need to take a photo of the screen.

Pot....kettle...black.

And you are showing your age old boy....in many ways. If Glyn Tucker was still alive you would be wheeling him out also. Stephen Stuart for God's sake. Give me breath!!

Had you not thought that some younger presenters may garner some interest from younger viewers and that it is not refelective of an old people's sport. Some are good others not but that same aspect also applies to the older presenters. Just remember you can't teach experience.

However you do have some valid points in other areas such as stakes etc.

 

 

Ted,

 

 

Ok August 1st is the first day of the new season. Could you enlighten me how a loud summer dress showing off a very obvious tan on Winter Cup day is celebrating the new season? That is lost on me. Didn't see streamers but would have thought they were over the top also had I seen them. Why not have balloons and party hats if we are going to go that over the top?

 

As for my place of business. I run a relatively modest but successful sales,marketing and importing business employing 90 staff throughout our fair land. I had several of my managers and two secretaries attend the monthly meeting which is always held on a Saturday morning and nearest to the first of the month. I do often have Sky Sports on in my office. A luxury I awarded myself several years ago when it became obvious I wasn't getting much time at home to indulge. My monthly meetings are a mixture of number crunching and target setting in a relaxed atmosphere. Unlike many males I don't hog the TV remote and I'm also not a control freak. As a result the American Races that I despise and some of first call was showing on my office TV. How in gods name is that inappropriate and please tell me why you feel compelled to even have an opinion of what happens in my office?

 

Almost everyone there expressed surprise to some level at K.F.E's attire on a mid winter morning racing preview show. I totally agreed which is why I took a screen shot.

 

I must be honest and confess that I was never a big Glynn Tucker fan. I respected his role but didn't like his singing etc.

 

I've met Stephen Stuart numerous times and had some open and frank yarns about horse racing. He's been around a while and has considerably more credibility etc than school leaver types that have dominated our screens in recent years. Baffles me how you can be so dismissive of a guy like him but give the thumbs up to cue card reading female presenters taking on their first role in the workforce. They must be having a huge positive flow on effect to turnover with younger punters to justify such a bias in employing them? Why else would you employ them yet not want to employ colourful people who have been in the game for decades? Could it be that they actually want to employ people who have no opinions or background in horse racing? Far less likely to say something controversial and interesting I guess.  

 

Yes look after the new younger punters coming into the game. Do you feel that is best done by younger inexperienced presenters? If so I'm assuming older seasoned punters also are an important TAB customer demographic? Who caters for their needs Ted? An older greyhound trainer presenter? An older Rugby commentator presenter? etc etc.

 

I honestly don't feel my business would survive if I targeted younger new customers to the detriment of my older established customers.

[jimsmith 224]

Jim, what about the kojak look? I'm bald as a badger and the chicks find me super sexy, I know this cos when I walk by I hear 'geezus look at that'.....it's a Bo Derek moment in reverse, the long t shirt hides the gut a tad, I reckon they like the fashion statement too, boardies and thongs from k mart, who needs Billabong and hang ten.....lifes great.

 

Sounds impressive Biff. Many ladies have told me over the years how much they like a shiny dome. Can't recall many telling my how sexy a beer gut is  

 

Now you're talking when you speak of Bo Derek .She was just beautiful alongside Dudley in 10. The subject of many a young mans dreams. 

[rdytdy 5,345]

Well Jim your post has made comment on channel 2. Congratulations, didn't take very long indeed.

Thought you may be interested:

By Thomas: (he can be perceptive sometimes)

What a sad commentary on that other site...

....whatever you say about her she's a classy dresser and classy woman all up and shouldn't be judged by what she wears anyway....

....wheres the women judging Stu's bald head and Steve's hairy ears?

It doesn't happen...no wonder the young'uns shun racing....still the old boys judging women's assets and nudge nudge wink wink

Still shouldn't be on a tipping show...her seat is wasted when the likes of Coppins got the DCM...

...but not the point

[biff 2,158]

Sounds impressive Biff. Many ladies have told me over the years how much they like a shiny dome. Can't recall many telling my how sexy a beer gut is

 

Now you're talking when you speak of Bo Derek .She was just beautiful alongside Dudley in 10. The subject of many a young mans dreams. 

Ahh, if only that were true Jim, I fell for the shiny dome thing, but the lady was referring to the upstairs business class cabin of the Emirates A380. By the time I woke to that I was several k lighter, and I don't mean kilo's. As for the beer gut, my t shirt is extended by a colostomy bag, it's a mood killer, damn thing. Bo Derek was my inspiration, that jog on the beach wont be forgotten, I often tried to replicate that along Wanda beach or North Cronulla on those warm misty summer morns, before I realised the bruising on my chin wasn't from shaving after all.

[jimsmith 224]

You lost me on the channel 2 comment reference Ted? to be fair if Steve Davies for example worse a bush shirt and dyed his hair orange I'd be just as likely comment on that as I would on Karen's very loud summer dress while presenting a mid winter race meeting.

 

What's this about ear hair? You say that like it's a bad thing. I'm currently cultivating my own. Always recall comedian Dave Allen talking about nasal and ear hair. He said it frightened him. Assuming the body knows what it's doing why does hair in that region start growing at break neck speed once you past 50? 

 

Karen is a classy dresser and lifts the tone of Trackside on that score. Having said that there is a time and a place for everything. I always think Donna Logan looks impeccably dressed on the big race days and I'm sure she looks forward to those occasions like the Melbourne ladies look forward to the first Tuesday in November. As good as Donna looks on Auckland Cup and Derby day I'd have to say that would be wasted on a Greymouth maiden in the middle of winter. Not only wasted but also inappropriate.

 

I'm adamant that TV racing presenters will have very little impact on how the younger brigade see racing and betting. They have so many opportunities with the discretionary income now that we just didn't have when we started out our interest in horse racing. It's the big race days where they have a great time,winning money and the top horses (Sunline etc) that get them interested. If you ever managed to rope them in to going to a average NZ winter race meeting they would soon lose interest in gambling and horse racing when their choice in race 5 the fav ran 250 meters last after not copping the track. It would not matter one iota if the Trackside presenter was a young attractive topless female or Des Coppins..or perhaps not 

 

As for previews. I can only talk from my own perspective. I dislike hearing what anyone else picks or tips unless they justify that pick. Somebody just smiling through the make up saying they like number 3 to win is about as likely to entice me to bet that horse as dropping a pin on the racebook would. If however they explained exactly why they picked that horse I will likely at least take them seriously. 

 

It is sinful that we have magnificent students of form for NZ racing just being passed over in favour of tipsters that have about as much credibility in that field as my much loved mum. Des Coppins a good example. Hopeless as a presenter but a very good judge of form. Its all about putting the right people in the right position. Unfortunately that seems lost on some of the decision makers.

 

Speaking of colour and tipping etc. Last week I organized a social event for my local staff. It was paintball. First time I've got the crew involved and they loved it. Got to see some impressive bruises yesterday morning. I'm now convinced I've employed several sadistic maniacs  

 

I took a bet in Race 3 on Winter Cup day and look who I see. "Paintball" I put bets on it for myself and half a dozen others. Lovely win and now I'm being asked when I'm putting on more bets for them.

 

Funny thing about human beings. We all love winning money. I'm confident I could get people involved in blind hippo racing if they won their first few bets. 

[jimsmith 224]

Ahh, if only that were true Jim, I fell for the shiny dome thing, but the lady was referring to the upstairs business class cabin of the Emirates A380. By the time I woke to that I was several k lighter, and I don't mean kilo's. As for the beer gut, my t shirt is extended by a colostomy bag, it's a mood killer, damn thing. Bo Derek was my inspiration, that jog on the beach wont be forgotten, I often tried to replicate that along Wanda beach or North Cronulla on those warm misty summer morns, before I realised the bruising on my chin wasn't from shaving after all.

 

Those colostomy bags and incontinence pants have the opposite effect to Viagra Biff. At least you know if she stays with you then she must really love you  

 

That was you on North Cronulla beach?  Hillarious !   You know the Elouera Surf Club on Mitchell Road? My go was jogging that far down like I was Steve Austin the six million dollar man. I had the slow motion thing down pat but just couldn't master those noises he made when jumping over 30 foot high fences and bending steel. I thought Farrah may go off him and look my way but unfortunately all I attracted was an enormous abbo lady looking abit sad and confused that her wine or mentholated spirits had run dry as I jogged past. 

[rdytdy 5,345]

They were Thomas's words, not mine Jim and please, it is Steve Davis not Davies.

[jess 1,244]

Here, nothing to it..

 

Thanks for posting that screen-grab Mainland R.

 

Yep - loud fabric - fair bit of skin for "a woman of a certain age" - more summery than the season suggests - and actually not particularly flattering - but - can't say I'm outraged, offended or bothered in any way.

 

I do think that male and female presenters are treated unequally - ppl ARE much more likely to comment on a female's appearance, age, body shape - claim they're past their use-by etc.  It doesn't take a raging femnist to quietly observe this is not equitable and is actually quite sexist ...

 

Jess

[jimsmith 224]

My bad Ted. Thanks for putting me right. He's one of Tracksides best assets. Much respect for him.

[jimsmith 224]

Thanks for posting that screen-grab Mainland R.

 

Yep - loud fabric - fair bit of skin for "a woman of a certain age" - more summery than the season suggests - and actually not particularly flattering - but - can't say I'm outraged, offended or bothered in any way.

 

I do think that male and female presenters are treated unequally - ppl ARE much more likely to comment on a female's appearance, age, body shape - claim they're past their use-by etc.  It doesn't take a raging femnist to quietly observe this is not equitable and is actually quite sexist ...

 

Jess

 

I don't think anyone would be outraged or even offended Jess. I certainly wasn't but it was so left field it would be remiss not to make comment. 

 

Without being harsh or rude the fact is anyone who bleaches their hair to the point it becomes akin to a lighthouse and wears very loud summer clothing in the middle of the winter highlighting her tan is hardly trying to fly under the radar. People who seek attention in this manner will attract favourable feedback when they get it right and critiques when they get it badly wrong. Nothing sexist about that especially when the people making the most noise in front of my TV were female in the 35-45 age group.

[rdytdy 5,345]

Meow!!!!

[jess 1,244]

Meow!!!!

 

Aye, Ted.  Sometimes, unfortunately, we girls can be harsh on our own. 

 

I don't see any harm in the issue being raised here and opinions aired - just surprised how remarkable so many found her appearance.

 

As it happens I don't particularly like the "look" - don't think the hair suits her - but hey - if I want to hear what she has to say it wouldn't put me off tuning in - any more than an older balding fat man in an ill-fitting suit would put me off listening  - if he was part of a compelling broadcast.

 

And remember some say any publicity is good publicity ... wonder how the ratings will go next week when everyone tunes in to see what K F-E is wearing (or not wearing ) .... she might just have the last laugh!

[scooby3051 11,027]

<p>

jimsmith, on 04 Aug 2015 - 10:53 AM, said: Those colostomy bags and incontinence pants have the opposite effect to Viagra Biff. At least you know if she stays with you then she must really love you That was you on North Cronulla beach? Hillarious ! You know the Elouera Surf Club on Mitchell Road? My go was jogging that far down like I was Steve Austin the six million dollar man. I had the slow motion thing down pat but just couldn't master those noises he made when jumping over 30 foot high fences and bending steel. I thought Farrah may go off him and look my way but unfortunately all I attracted was an enormous lady looking abit sad and confused that her wine or mentholated spirits had run dry as I jogged past.

No need for the racist slurs... thanks...

[bloke 1,242]

If you want to see a true racist Scooby go to the "Forums"" and you will see "Opo The Racist" continually posting disgusting tirades against Maoris.

 

Some may say that this is freedom of speech but in many countries of the western world he would be arrested for inciting racial hatred. He never posts on horse racing matters and in my opinion the only way he has stumbled across Racecafe is because of word "Race" as he was looking for a racist site.

[jess 1,244]

For what it's worth - today I thought Stu looked the same as ever - neat and tidy.  And Karen looked smart in a crisp little black and white sleeveless number.

 

They must have the heat up in the studio to be comfortable in that style because it's the middle of winter and I know I still had a beanie on inside till I lit the fire - but hey - if it feels like summer to Karen - good luck to her! 

[cantab matt 134]

Also saw during race 5 riccarton preview Karen was happily texting away whilst stu and steve were doing selections.

Pretty average I would have thought......

[jimsmith 224]

For what it's worth - today I thought Stu looked the same as ever - neat and tidy.  And Karen looked smart in a crisp little black and white sleeveless number.

 

They must have the heat up in the studio to be comfortable in that style because it's the middle of winter and I know I still had a beanie on inside till I lit the fire - but hey - if it feels like summer to Karen - good luck to her! 

 

Good on you for being such a loyal supporter Karen. I wasn't going to mention anything but as you've chosen to give such a glowing report I will give a different perspective.

 

I well appreciate T.F.C is about a horse racing preview rather than a fashion show review but I'm not forcing my attire onto others. I feel I have a good understanding of what looks smart. What looks classy and what looks inappropriate or tacky. I can only assume you are watching T.F.C via a small TV? 

 

I hope rather than just go into bat for someone through bias people would actually have a close up look.

 

There are people behind the scenes with make up etc on Trackside that should not be unleashed on the public. What are their qualifications? I can tell you their standards are very poor. Who makes them accountable for doing a poor job?

 

Karen wore a lovely black and white number this morning. Very nice look. It was a real struggle to see anything else that was positive.

 

Speak to anyone on this planet who knows about TV fashion and make up etc and they will tell you that Karen desperately needed to wear a matching jacket. Female TV presenters over 50 need to cover up arms etc. Her foundation was also just woeful and very obvious. Make up artists are just that. Artists. You should never be able to see their work. Unfortunately it was very very obvious and some distance from good work. It was either applied by someone in a hurry or someone with poor standards. Her purple lipstick was just wrong. Purple lipstick is generally worn by teenagers or ladies in their 20's. She is the only female in her age group on and off TV I've ever seen wearing it. Is she going through some sort of identity crisis in terms of her true age? She even had purple lipstick over her teeth. I can't believe somebody didn't help her out or are they all blind or frightened to say something?

 

Who ever put Stu's make up on failed miserably. He had foundation all through his eye brows and a lot had accumulated on his chin. I really felt sorry for the guy. It's not his job to know about make up. I also felt sorry for Steve Davis. The thick foundation all over his face looked like it had been applied with a spray gun. Very poor.

 

What would I know? Perhaps very little but don't take my word for it. Ask those who are experts in this field. If you are going to set yourself up as a fashion icon and or a professional make up artist at least be aware than not all viewers are ignorant to what looks good and what does not.

 

As an aside I would not have added my perspective if Jess had not given such a glowing report.